I was yesterday favor’d with your Excellency’s Letter of 27th: Decr: in answer to one I had the honor to write you of 22d: Novr: relative to the Provisions due to the Convention Army; I take the earliest opportunity to acquaint you, Sir, that agreeable to your desire I have ascertain’d the quantity due, to the satisfaction of the Issuing Commissary, and he has certify’d it to Mr. Hawkins the...

Having Several Matters to lay before your Excellency, I fully intended to Have Waited on You Yesterday; My indisposition prevents me, and I Know not Certainly when I can go Out. Reflecting on the Business of Moving the Stores and from a thorough Conviction of being Right, as to Not Water bearing them, I wrote the Inclos’d Letter to Mr. Claiborne; He being on a Jorney, I immediatly Communicated...

Your Excellency I doubt not is anxious to hear of the enemy’s situation; they are from every account at Westover with some Corps advanced on the road leading to this place who appear to be under arms as I am. I have about 300 men tolerably well appointed about 40 the best of which are advanced under the command of Cap. Selden within sight of their advanced posts. Genl. Nelson I suppose you...

This will be handed you with a Letter from Genl. Gates , by the latter I presume you’ll be informed that on Monday last the General left this for the westward with about 120 Cavelry, composed of detachments from Whites, Washingtons Armongs [Armand’s] and Nelsons Corps. The Maryland Troops with a detachment of the Virginia regulars under Colo. Buford, the whole consisting of about 800 moved...

By the Act of Congress of the 30 Instant, herewith enclosed, your Excellency will observe that Majr. Genl. Greene is appointed to take the Command in the southern Department; and you will also receive the necessary Information of the Powers and Instructions given to him by Congress, and that it is earnestly recommended to the Legislatures and Executives from the Delaware State to Georgia...

[ Richmond, 3 Feb. 1781. Minute in the War Office Journal (Vi) under this date: “Letter to the Governor inclosing a Scheme presented to me by Dr. Pope (which I think reasonable) for paying the orderly’s at the Hospitals, for consideration.” Letter not located. The enclosure (Vi) is a 1-page memorandum, signed “M[atthew] P[ope]” and endorsed “Hospitals Dr. Pope,” proposing that “The Orderlys...

Louisville, 15 Jan. 1781. Having appointed an assistant to complete purchases to be made on the Monongahela, Slaughter proceeded to Louisville and, on arrival, began purchasing beef and salt, the supply of which is sufficient; has drawn bills in favor of James Sullivan and David Standford for the purchase and delivery of provisions “from Hunters that would not credit the state,” and hopes they...

Philadelphia, 10 Oct. 1780. Enclosing a resolve of Congress of 7 Oct. “appointing Commissioners to endorse the new Bills of Credit to be issued by Virginia, and Letters to the Gentlemen informing them of their Appointment.” A postscript acknowledges TJ’s letters of 27 Sep. and 3 Oct. RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Huntington; endorsed. Enclosures: 2 copies ( Vi ) attested by...

I beg leave to observe to your Excellency that as the Quarter master general’s office is to be immedeatly removed to this place (Richmond) it becomes necessary to dispose of the houses in Wmsburgh, lately used for that office, to some other use. Mr. Kemp who is obliged to goe to Wmsburgh as soon as the arangement of the Quarter master generals department takes place, to finish the business...

[ Richmond, 11 Oct. 1780. Minute in the Journal of the Commissioner of the Navy (Vi), under this date: “Letter written to his Excellency the Governor, informing him of the Return of the Boat Nicholson to the Yard.” Not located.]

I wrote Your Excellency the 30th ult. that Gen. Lawson’s Corps would march Yesterday. This would Certainly have been the Case had not a report arrived that the Legislature had determined on their being discharged immediately. I should not however have suspended the march from a mere report, but Genl. Lawson himself shewed me a Copy of the Resolution of the house of Delegates on the subject. I...

[ Swan’s Point, 3 Jan. 1781. The 1816 version of TJ’s Diary of Arnold’s Invasion (Document I in Notes and Documents Relating to the British Invasions in 1781, printed under 31 Dec. 1780) contains the following entry under 3 Jan.: “8. aclock P.M. Received letter from E. Archer Swan’s point that at 12. aclock that day they [the British fleet] were at anchor a little below Jamestown.” Archer’s...

Williamsburg, 10 Feb. 1781. “The City of Williamsburg having procured a Waggon, Team &c. as ordered by Act of Assembly ,” Andrews desires to know to whom they shall be delivered. RC ( Vi ); endorsed (in part): “From the Revd Robt. Andrews.” The act of assembly in question was an Act of the Oct. 1780 session for supplying the army with clothes, provisions, and wagons; see Hening, William W....

It now appears that the Indians that attacked Blackmores Fort, as mentioned in my last , were a small party of Shawanese headed by our noted enemy Logan. The last Travelers that came from Kentucky came thro Cumberland Gap safe, having on their way made no discoveries of Indians. Some attention of Government to former means proposed, I am convinced may bring about a Peace; or make the war with...

Agreeable to Colo. Innes’s order to Major Turberville previous to my coming here, I examined Lt. Hare’s Papers, in which I found the enclosed letter which gives me the greatest unhappiness to expose; but with the same hand ever devoted to the service of the Fair, I tenderly let fall the greater weight of my Country’s good; but must still undivested of partiality for so tender a Character, beg...

War Office [ Philadelphia ] , 12 Dec. 1780. Case of 1st Lt. Thomas Warner, formerly of the 7th Va. Continental Line, for whom no vacancy is now available in the Virginia Line, though it has been recommended and agreed that “in all Cases where the Places of Prisoners were filled by junior Officers they should retire on the Officers Exchange whose places they filled.” This information is...

This is to Represent the distressed situation of Fort Jefferson and the impossibility of mentaining said Post without some Speedy relief. First the Inhabitants in General are leaving the Settlement for want of Subsistance, and continually Harrassed by an Unmerciful Enemy, the Loss of their Corn and Stock and we not being able to support those Adventurers by Reason of our Credit being so far...

I hope you will Excuse the Fredom I Venture at, In recommending any Publick Matter, and I hope you will; The Baron Dined with me Yesterday, and the Conversation Turnd, on the Defence of our River on which he Mentioned a Fort at Hoods , which would he was Confident prevent any Ships Coming by. This Morning Col: Self [Senf] Came here in Quest of the Baron who had gone on to the Courthouse, the...

I wrote you the 30th. of last Month, Giving you some Account of our Movements. It gives me much pleasure that I have it now in my Power to inform you a Detachment of Horse (from Genl. Morgans Party) Consisting of Baylors Regiment of Dragoons and Two Hundred Militia Horse Commanded by Colo. Washington, has Totally defeated a party of Tories of about Two Hundred and Fifty commanded by a Colo....

Many of our Misfortunes, to the Southward, and elsewhere, have arrisen from the Bad Arrangements of the Q.M. Department, which I hope In future will be on a better footing. General Green has appointed Lieut. Colo. Carrington. Dy. Qr. [Deputy Quartermaster] for this Department, and directed him to make application to the Executive of this State for Money and other article[s] he may find...

Since I wrote your Excellency last, I have taken an entire new position with the Army. One part is with me on this river about 80 Miles from Charlotte, and the other is with Genl. Morgan on Broad river, on the West side of the Catawba about 60 Miles from Charlotte. The State of the provisions as well as many other reasons rendered this measure necessary. Lord Cornwallis continues in the...

Till it is decided whether Cornwallis will cross the Roanoke or not we ought at all events to be prepared for the worst for which purpose we may have occasion for the troops under the command of Colo. Innes to cross the James River and I shall send orders for him to hold him self in readiness to move at a moments notice. But previous to such a movement (if it should take place) it will be...

I receiv’d your Summons by Express , and shall pay due attention thereto, as soon as my little domestic affairs are brought into order again. After a long application to business in the Assembly it’s reasonable to suppose I wish’d to have enjoy’d a few weeks at home; but one day did not pass before we were invaded, and all who liv’d near the River were obliged to retire to a more secure...

On Sunday Evening I had the honor to receive Your Excellency’s Letters of the 23d and 26th of last Month. I am happy to find by the former and the Letter You were so obliging as to forward from Colo. Wood that the Convention troops are now comfortably supplied. I hope this will be the case and that the mode You have in contemplation to adopt will answer your expectations. Colo. Wood ’s conduct...

Your Excellency was acquainted with My Intention of sending on Genl. Lawson’s Corps, and I can now inform you that I expect they will march from hence to morrow, tho’ not in such Numbers as I Expected, only 340 Rank and file appearing under Arms at the review Yesterday, including Infantry and Cavalry. The next Object is sending on as speedily as possible 400 Continental Troops and as many...

Philadelphia, 4 Dec. 1780. Circular letter to the state executives enclosing copy of a resolve of Congress of 30 Nov. requesting the states to furnish Commissary General Blaine or his deputy with the names of the principal agents or commissioners appointed to supply the army in each state “and to oblige them [the agents] to give Information from Time to Time to the Commissary General, or his...

General Muhlenberg has just forwarded me the inclosed Letters. What can have given rise to a correspondence of this nature I cannot say. It was contrary to my wish or desire. I shall be glad to know your Excellencys pleasure respecting the Exchange proposed by Genl. Arnold, both the Prisoners belonging to the State. I inclose a Receipt for the Twenty Guineas sent in agreable to your desire. I...

Your excellencys orders for a draught of two hundred and eighty five men from the militia of this county to serve in an expedition under Col. Clarke, have been executed, so far as to direct the men to be held in readiness, agreeable to the time appointed by Col. Clarke. As I know that many difficulties will arise in compelling these men to march and an equal aversion to the expedition...

Philadelphia, 3 Jan. 1781. Encloses extract of a letter from General Washington of 27 Dec. concerning the embarkation of the British from New York. RC ( PHi ); docketed: “Pr. Congress enclosg. extract of Genl Washington recd Jany 13. 81.” Tr ( DLC : PCC , No. 15); addressed to the governor of Maryland; at foot of text: “N. B. The like verbatim to the governors of Virginia & North Carolina.”...

I have taken the liberty to inclose your Excellency Proposals for establishing, and Regulating a Medical department in this State; which appears to me at this time absolutely necessary. It is first intended for your own perusal and afterwards to make such use of as your Excellency shall think fit; thus much I am well assured of, that for want of some proper regulations the State is daily, and...

Circular letter to the state executives enclosing a copy of a resolve of Congress of 25 Oct. “recommending to the respective States, to exert their utmost Endeavors to furnish their Troops with Cloathing, on the Terms formerly mentioned.” FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 15). Enclosure missing; printed in JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 , ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington,...

By a letter from Mr. Elliott at Petersburg, I am informed that there is in the possession of Mr. McNeal, Assistant to Mr. Ross at that place, a considerable quantity of Duck proper for Tents. The difficulty of procuring this article, for want of Money, obliges me to beg of your Excellency that a part of it may be delivered to Mr. Elliott, as he can have it made up immediately. There are Twenty...

On my Return to this place I Immediately Transmitted your Excellencies Dispatches to Chiefs of the Cherokees which I Seconded with Some letters of my own and Divers private messages with the Meddles &c. but unfortunately all arrived to late. The British agents had Succeeded in their negociations, and most of their Chiefs and Warriers of the old Towns had Determin’d To Take a Decisive part...

The complexion of the intelligence received of late from Spain, with the manner of thinking which begins to prevail in Congress with regard to the claims to the navigation of the Mississippi , makes it our duty to apply to our constituents for their precise full and ultimate sense on this point. If Spain should make a relinquishment of the navigation of that river on the part of the United...

On the 3rd and 24th of October last the following Resolve of Congress was passed, Viz. That such of the Sixteen additional Regiments as have not been annexed to the Line of some particular State and all the seperate light Corps of the Army &c. be reduced on first day of January next that the non Commissioned Officers and privates in those several Corps be incorporated with the Troops of their...

I have calls on me which I must in a Few days comply with, for £16000 or thereabouts for my proportions towards raising the 3000 men. Mr. Rubsarnen Informs me he has a warrant on his and my account for about £40.000. He informs me, he has been apply’d to Worke over a Quantity of Powder taken out of the Canel. This Powder will require a large Quantity of Salt Peter, which without ready money...

[ Philadelphia, 9 Jan. 1781. ] Encloses copies of resolutions of Congress of 5 and 8 Jan. The former relates to “the unwarrantable and cruel Treatment which … Prisoners with the Enemy have of late received,” necessitating the “Exercise of the Law of retaliation”; recommends that measures be taken for carrying into execution the resolves of Congress of 13 Jan. 1780 respecting prisoners taken by...

The horseman by whom I wrote to you last week on the subject of Mr. Clarke’s demand about provisions is not returned. I must further observe to you that our troops drew the same kind of meal that was issued to the Convention troops without complaining, and as it was received by their Quartermasters, will their soldiers, should any allowance be made for unsifted meal, receive the money? Or have...

I returned to this Post Two Days Ago from Maryland, where I left the British Troops tollerably well Accomodated. I make no Doubt you have Received before this a Requisition from the State of Maryland, for a Supply of Beef and Pork for the Troops, as the Scarcity of those Articles are so great as to Render it impossible to procure more than three weeks allowance from this time. On this Subject...

I have, this Moment received Your Letter requiring my Attendance at Richmond. It gives me pain that some days must elapse before I shall be able to attend where my duty and Inclination would certainly induce me to go. I am thus far on my Way to Williamsburgh to collect the scattered remains of my property, which was hastily distributed in such places as were deemed the most secure. When this...

I have the honor of receiving Your Excellencies Letter of the 3d Instant, with an extract from Major Genl. Phillips’s Letter, which by adhering to, in Your ordering any Sum from one to five thousand Pounds in Specie to be paid Mr. Geddes here for the use of the Troops of Convention, I shall immediately Write to New York, that Your Prisoners may receive an equivalent Sum there, payable to those...

As you seem to join me in opinion that an Inspection in the Upper Country would be of publick Utility and rouse a number of able bodied people inhabiting good lands to industry, I have in a hurry communicated to you a few hints on the Subject. The wretched State of our Flower trade is such that no doubt can remain of the necessity of improving it by every possible means. I have also given you...

Inclosed I send you Copies of the Papers I mention’d to you. You know the Importance of them and therefore will retain them for your own satisfaction and perusual. Pray be so good as to remind the clerk of the Council to send me a Copy of your Letter to the President of Congress with the Account you stated. Your Sentiments with the Respect to the Boundary of Virga. in case of Negociation...

I am this moment favord with your Excellencys Letter of this date . I had before transmitted you Copy of General Greens Letter to me with a state of our wants for compleating the Detachment destined for the Southard. I agree with your Excellency that the Militia of Rockbridge Augusta Rockingham and Shenandoah would be the most speedy reinforcement to General Green, but they must first be...

I am one of those, who fall under the description of an act of the General Assembly of May last, respecting the Citizens of South Carolina and Georgia, being expell’d from the former State by the Enemy. A few Negros, 14 in number, were remov’d from thence into this Commonwealth, on my account, about 4 months ago; they reach’d it sooner than I did, and by a very different route. They had...

I received your Excellencys favour of the 15th. and shall punctually observe your Directions in case of Appearance of any Danger of the Enemy. It seems to be the Wish of every body, they wou’d at this Time attempt to come this Way, and I verily believe they wou’d never get back again. I never intended to resign the Business of the Factory, as I had such a considerable Share in it’s formation...

[ Without place ] 23 Jan. 1781. Has expended the £500,000 which was furnished him when he was appointed quartermaster and commissary to “the Expedition intended to be Carried into the Country beyond the Ohio”; needs £300,000 to complete his contracts, and the success of the expedition depends on ready supplies. Unless sum needed is furnished immediately, “Contracts will be Defeated”; begs that...

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